Shower Installation & Conversion

Shower installation and tub-to-shower conversion is one of the most requested bathroom upgrades in Metro Vancouver, driven by both lifestyle preferences and the practical need to maximize space in the compact bathrooms found in Vancouver condos and older character homes. Converting a standard alcove bathtub to a walk-in shower typically reclaims usable floor space, improves accessibility, and creates a more modern aesthetic — particularly in the 5-by-8-foot bathrooms common in mid-century Vancouver Specials and 1960s-70s apartment conversions across East Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster. The waterproofing system is the most critical component of any shower installation in Vancouver's climate. With humidity levels regularly exceeding 80 percent during the rainy season and bathrooms generating substantial moisture with every use, a shower that leaks behind tiles will develop mould and structural rot quickly — a lesson the Lower Mainland learned during the Leaky Condo crisis. Modern shower waterproofing uses either sheet membrane (such as Schluter KERDI) or liquid-applied membrane (such as Laticrete Hydro Ban or RedGard) applied over cement board substrate to create a continuous waterproof envelope behind the tile. The membrane must extend from the shower floor up all walls to at least 6 inches above the shower head height, with all seams, corners, and penetrations sealed with compatible waterproofing accessories. Curbless (zero-threshold) showers require a pre-sloped mortar bed or prefabricated linear drain tray to direct water to the drain without a curb, and the waterproofing must be continuous from the shower area onto the bathroom floor. BC Building Code requires a minimum 2-inch drain connection for showers, proper trap sizing, and adequate slope to drain (minimum 1/4 inch per foot on the shower floor). Technical Safety BC permits apply when gas lines are affected (for example, relocating a gas water heater to accommodate new plumbing runs), and electrical permits are required for shower lighting, heated floors, and steam generator installations. Shower installation and tub-to-shower conversion in Metro Vancouver typically costs $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the scope — a basic tub-to-shower conversion in the existing alcove runs $5,000 to $8,000, while a custom curbless shower with linear drain, niche, bench, and multi-head system reaches $10,000 to $15,000.

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